Trainer realises his dream

Battling trainer Shaun Dwyer struggled to cope yesterday as the magnitude of his Magic Millions two year old classic win, with little-known filly Regimental Gal, began to sink in.

"It's all too much", Dwyer said.

The 44-year-old from Toowoomba said he never contemplated winning a Magic Millions because dreams "don't come true".

"It's such a big race with so much pressure on you but to pay just the little amount we did for her ($16,500) is magical," said Dwyer, fighting back tears, as his two-year-old returned to scale.

Meanwhile, Gai Waterhouse, who looked to have a stranglehold over yesterday's million dollar race, had some connection with the victory even though she could manage only an equal second with How Funny.

Dwyer was stable foreman for Waterhouse for six months after doing a four-year stint as Bart Cummings' Sydney foreman.

Asked how his four-and-a-half years in Sydney worked out, Dwyer said: "I went down there with no money, and came back with none. That's when I decided to make a go of it myself.");document.write("

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"You've got to praise (Regimental Gal's) courage, but I was so surprised to see her lead and then kick and win.

"Our plan was not to lead but just sit behind the pace."

Young rider Michael Rodd, another Queenslander, said he was "stunned" when he managed to lead so easily in the early stages.

"It's the biggest day of my life in racing, but it's just remarkable how I was allowed to dictate the pace in a race like the Magic Millions. I always thought they'd go crazy in front and I could sit behind them," Rodd said.

Regimental Gal's sire, General Nediym, also won a Magic Millions.

The elated owners called for free beer yesterday afternoon.

"If John Singleton can shout the bar when he wins a Golden Slipper, we can shout everyone a drink at the main bar at the Toowoomba racecourse", one owner said.

But while Regimental Gal was the talk of the Gold Coast yesterday, Waterhouse could not explain the poor performance of the favourite, Hasna.

"I really can't give you an excuse. Chris (Munce) said that she was perfect in the run but just didn't show any fight. I'll take her back to Sydney now and have a good long look at her," she said.

She also said that yesterday's runner up, How Funny, would be given a 10-day break in the paddock and then aimed for the rich Golden Slipper Stakes.